10 Destinations You Can Visit in the Stunning Vistadome Coaches of the Indian Railways In India, there is something about taking the train that makes the journey just as fascinating as the final destination. The joys that make the heart melancholy and upbeat at the same time include talking to people, eating the vegetarian cutlet and the surprisingly wonderful tomato soup, and travelling through some rarely seen landscapes.
And now, with the introduction of IRCTC’s new carriages in about 45 currently running trains this year, the vistas are expected to get even better. These coaches have 180-degree rotating plush seats that can be moved about in, wide glass windows that provide wonderful scenery, glass roofs with anti-glare displays that let passengers to see the sky, and a Wi-Fi based system that provides more information to passengers.
10 Destinations You Can Visit in the Stunning Vistadome Coaches of the Indian Railways
So if you’re ready to plan a domestic vacation, consider booking a train with a Vistadome coach to maximise your travel time. Here are a few stunning locations that can be reached by Vistadome trains.
Ghoom in Darjeeling, West Bengal
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways’ highest point is this tiny settlement, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ghoom is perhaps best known as the terminus of the adorable Darjeeling Toy Train. The toy train’s Vistadome coaches are pulled by a steam engine, and during the hour-long trip, passengers can see mountains in the distance and lush vegetation.
How to get there: From your city, take a train or an aircraft to New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri, West Bengal. then reserve tickets for trains 52593/95/98/44, 52541, 52540, and 52556.
Best season to travel is from October to December, when temperatures range from 10-15 °C.
Top things to see and do include seeing the ornate Ghum and Yiga Choeling Monasteries, riding a toy train on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, picking herbs from the Herb Garden, riding the Batista Loops spiral railway to see Mount Kanchenjunga, and strolling through Ghoom to buy souvenirs.
Patalpani in Indore, Madhya Pradesh
For tourists who prefer the comfort of crowds and holiday travellers, Patalpani Falls is ideal. The water descends 300 feet into a pool at the bottom, surrounded by a thick forest canopy and a rocky environment. According to legend, this lake is so deep that it leads to patal, or hell, hence the name Patalpani. It’s a terrific place to spend the majority of the day floating in the pool, having a picnic on the nearby green spaces, or—for the more daring—taking advantage of the water sports available close to the waterfall.
Take a train or a fly to Mhow in Indore to get there. From there, board the heritage train 52965/66 Mhow-Patalpani-Kalakund.
The monsoon season, from June to September, is the best time to visit since the water is flush.
The best things to see and do are to bring a picnic basket, chat with friends, and eat in front of the stunning falls; go river rafting, hot air ballooning, or hiking nearby; sign up for a camping trip close to the falls; or go bird watching at the Indore Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is an hour away.
Mangalore, Karnataka
Yes, it is a business metropolis that more than 500,000 people call home, but there is still a lot to discover in this southern location. And it begins as soon as you get on the train to Mangalore. The trip is thrilling as the route passes through the stunning Western Ghats and even takes you to high heights. Once you arrive in the city, there is a wealth of sights to explore, including as glistening beaches, vast gardens, and historic cathedrals.
How to get there: Take the 16539/40 Yesvantpur-Mangalore Express from Bangalore.
The best months to visit are October through February, when the temperature stays below 30 degrees Celsius.
Top sights and activities include watching dolphins play in the water at Panambur’s white sand beach, paying respects at the Mahathobhara Sri Mangaladevi Temple for the Hindu goddess Shakti, surfing at Tannirbhavi Beach, admiring the artwork at St. Aloysius Chapel, and eating authentic Mangalorean food like goli baje, churumuri kori roti, and anjan fry.
Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
The little-known Ziro Valley was initially made famous by the Ziro Music Festival. Travelers now visit for the area’s calm, tranquil atmosphere, a glimpse into the culture, leisurely strolls through its numerous picturesque villages, and the chance to interact with the Apatani people. This tribe is renowned for its vibrant festivals, dynamic culture, cane and bamboo craft expertise, and general common sense and was nominated for a UNESCO Cultural Heritage nomination.
Take the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Express to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh to get there. From there, take a 4-hour taxi ride to Ziro Valley.
The best months to visit are March through May and October through November, when the weather is comfortable and cool.
Top sights/activities: Request a meeting with the Apatani tribe’s chief and have a discussion with him in his traditional cottage; Do the 4-day Talle Valley hike, which takes you through deep forests filled with colourful wildflowers, or rent bicycles and see the communities surrounding Ziro; you can camp in the Pange basin for a starry night.Take the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Express to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh to get there. From there, take a 4-hour taxi ride to Ziro Valley.
The best months to visit are March through May and October through November, when the weather is comfortable and cool.
Top sights/activities: Request a meeting with the Apatani tribe’s chief and have a discussion with him in his traditional cottage; Do the 4-day Talle Valley hike, which takes you through deep forests filled with colourful wildflowers, or rent bicycles and see the communities surrounding Ziro; you can camp in the Pange basin for a starry night.
Colva, Goa
Colva is a lovely beach in south Goa with palm trees surrounding the sand and beach shacks giving just about everything you need to take in the expansive vista. Everyone will find something to enjoy here, including the serenity, stunning sunsets, clear, blue water, sports, and unlimited cold beer.
Get there by taking the Mumbai-Madgaon Express (12051/52). From Madgaon, take a taxi for 20 minutes to Colva.
The best time to visit is from mid-November to mid-February, when the weather is ideal for sightseeing and wandering around
Top things to do/see include: Getting up early to swim at the beach before it fills with people; exploring the area to locate picturesque locations for holiday photos that will look fantastic on Instagram; To get your blood flowing, try paragliding or water skiing.
Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
Araku Valley, a little-known hill station with lush green woods, breathtaking waterfalls, a vast terrain, and weather that can lift your spirits, is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats. Additionally well known are the coffee farms of Araku. In fact, you can get India’s first organic tribal growers’ coffee brand there, so be sure to stock up on this delight.
Take train 18551/52 Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Express to get there.
Best months to visit: September to January for some winter magic and June to September to experience the monsoons
Top sights and activities include visiting the gushing Chaparai Waterfalls, which are encircled by a lush forest, exploring the Borra Caves and their stalactite and stalagmite mineral formations, shopping for adorable trinkets at the Araku Tribal Museum, and enjoying a hot cup of coffee at the Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation.
Pune, Maharashtra
Pune could be the spot for you if you’re looking for a city vacation filled with people, great restaurants, nightlife, and a little bit of turmoil. The Osho Meditation Retreat, where you can connect with your inner thoughts while enjoying a luxurious stay, is another thing that makes it renowned or infamous. Although the city underwent a transformation after being colonised, remnants of colonial architecture may still be seen.
The best time to visit is between October and February, when the city experiences cool, dry weather.
Top sights and activities include visiting the Aga Khan Palace, where Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sarojini Naidu were temporarily detained by the British, and admiring the Shiva-dedicated Pataleshwar rock-cut (cave) temple.
Alipurduar, West Bengal
Alipurduar, which shares a border with Bhutan and Assam, provides a comprehensive view of the natural and animal worlds. The Pumtse summit, which offers expansive views of the Buxa hills and Bhutan valley, as well as the South Khairbari Tiger Rescue Centre, where tigers are safeguarded and valued, are among the numerous dense forests to explore for flora and fauna. Therefore, if you’re seeking a vacation away from the bustle of the city, this location offers you the ideal option.
Booking train 05777/05778 from New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar will get you there.
The best months to visit are March through May and October through January when the weather is comfortable and ideal for jungle safaris.
The Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve is a great place to spend a day watching and interacting with elephants. The Buxa Tiger Reserve is a great place to see tigers, leopards, bisons, bears, and pythons. The Jaldapara National Park is a great place to see one-horned rhinos. Kunjanagar Eco Park is a great place to take kids.
Haflong, Assam
Haflong, one of the few hill towns in Assam, is renowned for its gentle hills, colonial architecture, the dazzling Haflong Lake, and its alluring valleys and mountains. This is an excellent option if you’re seeking for a different hilly vacation destination than Himachal and Uttarakhand. The finest aspect is that it’s calm and comparatively undiscovered. The landscape is diverse, the flora and wildlife are distinctive.
Traveling there: To go to Haflong, use the 05888 Guwahati-New Haflong Tourist Special Train.
Best season to travel is from October to February, when temperatures range from 19 to 22 °C.
Top things to do/see include: dipping your toes into the gushing Panimoor Waterfalls, watching the sun set beside the turquoise Haflong Lake, shopping for the region’s juiciest oranges and pineapples, and more. Discover the intriguing native tribes of Biates and Karbis, as well as the odd instance of birds dying in the small settlement of Jatinga.
Barog, Himachal Pradesh
On the Kalka Shimla Highway, Barog is a popular weekend escape from Delhi. There isn’t much to do in this tranquil, undeveloped area save stroll along the natural pathways, collect pine cones, relax around the bonfire, swap stories, and pay attention to the voice of the valley.
How to get there: Take the Kalka-Shimla Express (52459/60) and get out at Barog.
The best months to visit are July through September to see the lovely monsoons and October through January to see the winter splendour.
Top sights and activities: Visit the Dagshai Museum, a former mobile jail, ride the toy railway to Shimla, and walk to Choor Peak.
